Government backs down on media access to family courts

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Proposals to give the media the right to attend family courts are scrapped following opposition from childrens’ organisations

Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, today backed down on proposals to allow journalists to attend family court hearings in the wake of opposition from organisations representing the rights of children.

The idea was floated by the Government last year as a way of putting a stop to claims that the courts are secretive, particularly in cases in which children are taken into care or custody is granted to one parent.

Protesters from Fathers4Justice called for the press to be allowed to expose what they claim are miscarriages of justice denying fathers access to their children.